INSPIRING
NEXT
PRACTICES in the aging services industry

An opportunity to recognize important breakthroughs in aging services

Mather Institute created the Innovative Research on Aging Awards to recognize excellent applied research that offers important implications for the aging services industry and inspires next practices.

Get recognized and rewarded for your important efforts

Entry Guidelines:

Researchers and authors who have published manuscripts between March 2021 and March 2022 are invited to apply. The research must be applicable to a relevant area, including

  • supporting the senior living workforce
  • technological advancements for older adults
  • programs that support health and well-being of senior living residents
  • aging in place

Evaluation Criteria:

Applicants will be evaluated based on:

  • quality of research
  • actionable research findings and recommendations
  • relevance to important problems in the senior living industry
  • innovation

Congratulations to this year’s winner and honorees:

2021 Gold Award

STUDYING A NEW WAY TO TRAIN: Maximizing Person-Centered Care Skills with Microlearning

Virginia Commonwealth University

Jenny Inker, PhD

This research explores the use of microlearning—training available in short segments that can be accessed online at the learner’s convenience. Nine Virginia nursing homes took part in a 52-week training program. Weekly microlearning lessons (averaging 6 minutes long) were made available online and accessible from computers, tablets, and smartphones. Lessons consisted of short videos and activities based on the CMS Hand-in-Hand Toolkit on person-centered dementia care.

2021 Silver Award Recipients

HEALING HEALTH CARE FOR OLDER PATIENTS

Transitioning from Traditional Care to an Age-Friendly Health System

 

SCRUTINIZING SOCIAL HIERARCHIES

Examining Social Standing among Assisted Living Residents

TREATING DEPRESSION WITH INNOVATION

Delivering Mental Health Help with Lay Counselors

 

ACHIEVING ASSESSMENT ACCESSIBILITY

Closing a Racial Gap in Providing Cognitive Assessments

2021 Bronze Award Recipients

ADDRESSING AGEISM IN STAFF

Helping Senior Living Staff Overcome Ageism

 

SERVING UP CARE IMPROVEMENTS

Letting Staff Lead Positive Changes in Providing Person-Centered Care

 

PARSING PANDEMIC STRESS

Checking in on Older Adults’ Resilience during the COVID-19 Pandemic

ASSESSING PERSON-PLACE FIT

Developing a New Measure of Place for Senior Living Residents & Other Older Adults

 

EXAMINING ECONOMIC STATUS

Mapping Economic Well-Being & Effects of Financial Knowledge

Get an overview of the latest research that is impacting the lives of older adults

Get an overview of the most relevant research published in the past year—the studies selected as winners of the Innovative Research on Aging Awards.